Nicasio (2-3) left Saturday's game against the Dodgers in the second inning after landing awkwardly while trying to avoid a hard-hit grounder back up the mound. The Rockies diagnosed him with a left knee strain.

"We really don't think that it's anything serious, but he will have a precautionary MRI [Monday]," said manager Jim Tracy. "He's a little sore today and we're going to err on the side of caution.

Moscoso made the drive to Denver this morning after the Rockies called him last night to inform him he was being called up.

The right-hander struggled in his two starts this year after being called up April 28. He gave up six earned runs to the Mets in five innings and six more to the Braves in 4 1/3. Moscoso was optioned back to the Minors after his no-decision against the Braves on May 4.

"When the Rockies sent me down, they told me they wanted me to be aggressive and throw lots of strikes, so that's what I did," Moscoso said. "I've been attacking the zone and putting the batters away on the first three pitches, trying to keep the pitch count low and go deep into games."

Moscoso started nine games for Colorado Springs this year. He allowed over one hit per inning (60 in 50 1/3 innings) but put together a 4.66 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Nicasio will miss his next two scheduled starts. The Rockies have two off-days scheduled in that time frame, so a four-man starting rotation of Jeremy Guthrie, Christian Friedrich, Alex White and Josh Outman could possibly work out.

Moscosco is a candidate to play piggy-back to Josh Outman -- in the process of stretching his arm out -- in Outman's next start. Outman pitched 3 1/3 innings against the Dodgers on Friday with a predetermined pitch count of 50-55 and was replaced by Carlos Torres, who gave up two runs in two innings and was promptly sent back to Colorado Springs.
"We've got a lot of possibilities in play," Tracy said. "We'll find out what kind of progress [Moscoso] has made."